Monday, July 4, 2011

Finally we are here to complete Kaziranga National Park, Part II...have been very lazy indeed. This is going to be a long post as we would like to cover all that we saw...As we drive to Kaziranga we are greeted with a view of lush green tea gardens, indeed a feast for the eyes !!!

Raw material for my cup of tea...

As we reached the guest house we just had enough time to grab a bite and pack some snacks for the kids before we left for the Jeep Safari with our guide at 2p.mAs we entered the park we saw some wild elephants and Rhinos at a distance... this is also the flood plains of the Brahmaputra (river), during the monsoon season the river floods most of the forest area. Animals are forced to move uphill.

Male elephants do not stay in a herd, one decides to peep from the tall elephant grass (these grasses grow as tall as the elephants, hence their name)

A herd of elephants feeding on fresh water hyacinth

Elephant Apple fruit (Dillenia indica ) or "Ouu tenga" as we call it in Assamese(pronounced O,Tenga,tenga means sour). The fruit pulp is used in Indian Cuisine in curries, jam, and jellies...You must be wondering why am I mentioning about this fruit...it is because this is a favourite among the elephants...lol

Wild buffalo relaxing at dusk...

Kaziranga is home to the Indian one-horned rhino and we spotted a few...

This one sniffs the air for any dangers...

One in the bushes...

One close enough for a shot...

Kaziranga is also a bird-watcher's paradise...

The Ruddy Shelducks

The Indian Roller

Ring nosed Parakeet.

Bar headed geese (these are migratory birds)

Yellow footed green pigeon.

Bulbul.

Am not too sure about these ones...are they kites or eagles? Help with ID's please

Black necked stork.

Wooly necked stork.

Asian Barred Owlet.

Spot billed pelican.

The scarlet minivet(male)

The scarlet minivet (female)

We think this is the black Drongo...missed the fork tail as this one suddenly popped up from nowhere and disappeared before we got another shot!!!

Assam Macaque.

The turtles basking in the sun:)

This one swims around..

As Arun goes around click...click..click..we pose for him:) atop a watch tower at the edge of the forest.